Gluten Free
Jump to VideoCaramelized apples are the best part of this hot fruit bake! Fall’s favorite fruit, apples, get even sweeter when baked with caramelized coconut sugar, chopped nuts, spices, and apple cider! This healthier dessert recipe is paleo friendly, easy to make, and delicious. Eat it as is, or use it in a tart, or as atopping for waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream!
As I sit here typing, this very dish, a hot fruit bake with caramelized apples, is my oven. Third time to make it. Yup! And the house smells A M A Z I N G!!
Not gonna lie, it’s half the reason I make this. The smell alone makes me feel like it’s Christmas morning and just plain giddy.
Kinda like those sticky coffee cake muffins. Don’t worry, Christmas is only 80 days away! GASP! But I digress. Anyway, let’s talk about the deliciousness and simplicity of this paleo friendly dessert recipe. Cause it’s what I LIVE FOR! Okay that’s a lie, but you get my point.
Now, wanna know the God’s honest truth? The truth about why I’m making this hot fruit bake again?
This caramelized apples hot fruit bake is my Fall inspired version of an old family recipe. A “tweaked” version of my spiced hot fruit bake recipe. Yes, tweaked (or rather “revamped”) it to make more paleo friendly and healthy. And by healthy I mean healthier, healthyish. By no means is this a superfood recipe.
BUT…. it is a HEALTHIER dessert, brunch, breakfast bake topping option that is made without any refined sugar. I get bonus points now, right?
Sheesh, there I go again, diverting you from the truth of why I am making this dish for the 3rd time, gladly. You see, I’m a very flawed and somewhat disorganized person. Yep, it’s true. I “may” have lost my notes on how I actually made this recipe, remade, tweaked, etc. In fact, I may have lost those recipes notes not once, but twice! Ha!
What can I say? I’m old school ya’ll! I use pen and paper. Which, sometimes ends up being more work, but I’m okay wth that.
Writing recipes in my notebook allows me to escape the computer and get caught up in the process of recipe creation, creativity. Just me, my messy kitchen island, a notebook full of paper with scratch marks and some kind of food ingredient smeared all over it, and the smell of a new gluten free recipe baking or roasting in the oven. Or in this case, apple cider fruit bake. Again.
It’s my favorite time of day. Almost like a few hours of solitude and creativity combined. Call me corny Cotter, but I think we all need those moments.
The good thing is practice makes perfect.
So, I’ve just perfected this caramelized apple cider hot fruit bake recipe for you. Kidding. Although, in my mind, I’ve perfected the art of making it. And you know what? That’s pretty magical!
How to Make Hot Fruit Bake with Caramelized Apples (Video):
Watch this quick video to see just how easy this hot fruit bake is to make.
You’re going to need:
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Coconut sugar
- Vanilla
- Apple juice
- Maple syrup
- Apple cider vinegar
Heavens Yes! Sweet, tart, buttery caramelized apples in baked fruit goodness.
Plus the smell.. oh the smell!
Print
Hot Fruit Bake with Caramelized Apples (Paleo Friendly, Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Caramelized apples in a hot fruit bake! This healthier dessert recipe is paleo friendly, easy to make, and delicious. Great topping for waffles or pancakes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (8 tbsp) or vegan butter/ghee for lacotse free
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar (see notes for less sugar option)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2–4 tbsp maple syrup
- 5 –6 cups (250 –260 grams or so) of sliced apples (red, green, or mixed)
- 1/2 cup apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinergar (this combo acts as the apple cider part)
- coconut sugar to top
- optional: 1/3 cup toasted nuts
Instructions
- Slice your apples. Leave peel on. Place in a large bowl.
- In a small pot, combine your butter, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
- Bring to a soft boil and then reduce to low for 5 minutes. Just until it thickens or “caramelizes” a bit.
- Next pour your caramelized sugar over your apples in a bowl. Mix thorough.
- Place caramelized apples in a large casserole dish. Spread out evenly. Pour the apple juice/cider mix evenly on top.
- Sprinkle extra coconut sugar on top if desired.
- Place in oven at 325F for 1 hour, mixing apples half way through baking.
- add nuts during last 15 minutes if you want to toast them with the fruit bake
- Remove from oven and serve immediately or cover, refigerate and cool for later use.
- If serving later, rewarm in oven when ready.
Notes
Works well with vegan butter or ghee if you need to adjust for paleo/vegan. Great to make ahead and then reheat for serving.
Instead of nut topping, you can add in seeds or even leave without.
For lower sugar option feel free to use baking stevia or Swerve.
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramelized apples, hot fruit bake, fall dessert recipe, gluten free desserts, paleo friendly desserts
The oven timer is ringing. I’m ready to serve! Now bring over you’re bowl and let’s make this a coffee date. Cool?
I wish we could start every Monday that way? Sigh…
Other ways to enjoy this “healthier” Caramelized Apples Hot Fruit Bake:
- On pancakes
- With homemade no churn vegan ice cream
- With coconut whipped cream or frosting
- On waffles
- With roasted pork or pot roast! Oh my gosh YUM! I just thought of that. So gonna do it!
Okay friends, what did you bake this weekend? Or did you get all OCTOBER-ish and caramelize apples or drink apple cider? Haha, no? Well then maybe this weekend we should all do that together.
Mmm k?
What’s your favorite Fall fruit dish? I’d love more recipes!Cheers,
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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OMG, Linds, I bet this smells absolutely incredible. Like apple cider on the stove, my favorite holiday smell. Instantly transporting!
yep, totally want tho bathe in the aroma. Too much? LOL!
Oh this would be perfect with some ice cream! Wishing o had this now. It’s finally starting to cool off enough for me to eat hot food again. I
yay for cooler weather! our season has arrived! haha
This couldn’t scream fall anymore if it tried! Looks amazing!
Right? I kinda got carried away! LOL!
O that looks heavenly! A sweet must-have all season long!
You know it!
Oh my! I am drooling here! The thought of the aroma this fills your house with is intoxicating indeed! Yes – I wish we could start every Monday THIS way – with ice cream! 🙂
i like your thinking!
Girl! This looks fantastic! I have some apple cider in my fridge, just waiting for this! Would I just use 1/2 cup instead of the ACV + apple juice? My family actually makes apple cider each year at an apple press–it is one of my favorite fall traditions!
Oh lucky you! Yes, even better with the real cider. Those apples can bathe in it! Haha. Keep me posted
There…are…no…words….!!! I want this for/alongside ever meal e’ery day! I love apple treats and this is such a beautiful recipe..simple, healthful…aaaaagh I want the whole lot of it!
thanks friend! i’m pretty speechless too, cause I’m stuffin my mouth with this. LOL!
I can just imagine the smell! I bet this makes the entire house smell incredible!
And yes…I’m a paper-and-pencil gal too. Love that break from the computer!
Omg this look amazing. I’m so loving fall right now and hope that it sticks around before winter comes to Chicago. eek!
i’m scared of you winter. LOL! dome visit me instead
instead of buying fall-smelling candles I’m just gonna go ahead and make this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! But seriously, this sounds amazing 🙂
I so agree Rachel!
Seriously… can’t get enough of your recipes!! 🙂
OMGGGG!! This sounds like the perfect thing to make and take with me to the gym. I’m obsessed wtih all the fall flavors! And what could be better then a warm bowl of this deliciousness after training clients for hours! Thanks for sharing!
yes! refuel with real carbs. LOVE IT!
I made an apple crisp this weekend out of the failed remnants of another recipe creation. I didn’t hate it, although I think I would love this a little better. I’m old school too. I use a notebook and pen for all recipes. It’s dog eared and chicken scratched like crazy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
we should have had an apple party. Getting high on baked apple smell and writing in note books. Yes, that sounds awesome. LOL! Love you
I am definitely old school;. I write notes & forget them!!!! I am old too! 🙂
OMG this looks so amazing!!! I would sit down & eat the whole thing & yes the smells!!!!!!!!
old school is the best way to go!
I’m all over the apples for fall; this looks so delicious Lindsay! I actually find that I like coconut sugar, the deep rich taste of it better than regular sugar; it’s more like brown sugar for me. I love that you don’t skimp on making the Paleo baked goodies REALLY really good. All of your baked goods I’ve tried have been so delicious. Thank you for blessing people with them day after day!
I’m so glad! Love that coconut sugar for the same reasons. SO rich! Enjoy the mountains friend and I really appreciate all your encouragement and support. You are a blessing!
I love the addition of apple cider vinegar- this sounds awesome!
yes! i think you’d love it! Cider make it a little more zesty
Ooooh, this looks amazing! I love baked apples but you’ve taken them to a whole new level of deliciousness!
Loved this recipe! My husband and I made in for a quick dessert after family dinner and it was a hit! Even those who aren’t as health conscience as we are loved it;) Easy and delicious. We swapped out oats for the nuts.
★★★★★
oh wonderful! good to hear lex!